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About IUBS
Objectives
The International Union of Biological Sciences (IUBS) is a non-governmental, non-profit organisation, established in 1919. Its objectives are:
- to promote the study of biological sciences;
- to initiate, facilitate and coordinate research and other scientific activities necessitating international, interdisciplinary cooperation;
- to ensure the discussion and dissemination of the results of cooperative research, particularly in connection with IUBS scientific programmes;
- to support the organisation of international conferences and assist in the publication of their reports.
Membership
The membership of IUBS presently consists of 44 Ordinary Members, adhering through Academies of Sciences, National Research Councils, national science associations or similar organizations, as well as 80 Scientific Members, all of which are international scientific associations, societies or commissions focussing on a wide array of biological disciplines. IUBS is a founding member of the International Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU), and contributes to the work of its scientific committees and programmes.
Governing Bodies
The IUBS General Assembly meets every three years. The Executive Committee, elected by the General Assembly for a three-year period, meets annually and is composed of the Officers (President, Past-President, two Vice-Presidents, Secretary General and Treasurer) and fourteen members. The Union's Secretariat, headed by an Executive Director, is responsible for the coordination of its programmes and activities.
Assemblies
At the triennial General Assembly, each Ordinary Member has one vote. Scientific Members are invited to send representatives to attend the sessions, hold presentations and make recommendations. The Agenda covers the election of the Executive Committee, assessment of progress made in the implementation of IUBS scientific programmes and collaboration with other international organisations, allocation of funds, etc. The General Assembly is flanked by a scientific symposium organised in cooperation with the National IUBS Committee of the host country.
Scientific Programmes
Based upon the recommendations of the "Scientific Programme Committee", the General Assembly adopts priority areas for the implementation of scientific programmes. These are selected according to the procedure outlined in the Guidelines for the initiation and evaluation of the IUBS scientific programmes, as outlined in the IUBS Statutes. Where necessary and feasible, the Union provides seed funds to help launch its programmes. Supplementary funding is raised from other sources, including national and international donor agencies, through contracts and agreements negotiated on behalf of the IUBS.
Scientific Congresses and Meetings
The IUBS sponsors meetings and congresses organised by its Scientific Members through the allocation of refundable interest-free loans. Where appropriate, the Union contributes to the scientific agenda featured in the congresses of its Scientific Members by presenting results of its own scientific programmes and IUBS-sponsored projects, either within the framework of the general symposia and sessions or in flanking workshops.
Publications
The IUBS publishes progress reports and scientific results of its own programmes and research projects, besides offering assistance in the publication of the proceedings of workshops and meetings held under its auspices.
Biology International, the periodical of IUBS, is published on a quarterly basis.
IUBS publications also include the IUBS Monograph Series, the Methodology Manual Series and the Proceedings of the IUBS General Assemblies.
Finances
IUBS has the following sources of income:
- annual dues from Ordinary Members, as determined every three years by the General Assembly;
- contributions from UNESCO and other international organisations supporting the Union's Scientific Programmes;
- other sources.
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